GENETICS

Human Genome Project

A collaborative effort to map the human genome involving thousands of scientists globally between 1990 and 2003, identifying approximately 20,500 genes and their locations.

Genetic Disorders

Diseases caused by genes and alleles, allowing for quick identification and specific treatments tailored to the genetic cause.

Genotype

The genetic makeup an organism inherits from its parents, determining traits and the genetic sequence in terms of alleles present.

Phenotype

The observable physical characteristics of an organism influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

Mitosis

Cell division resulting in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell, crucial for growth and tissue repair.

Meiosis

Cell division for sexual reproduction producing four genetically unique daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Inheritance

The passing of genetic information from parent to offspring, determining traits like physical characteristics, behaviors, and diseases.

Punnett Squares

Diagrams predicting offspring phenotypes based on parental alleles, crucial for monohybrid inheritance and probability calculations.

Codominance

Both alleles of a gene are expressed equally in the phenotype, with neither allele being recessive, seen in blood groups like AB.

Family Pedigrees

Illustrations showing inheritance patterns within families, useful for understanding genetic disorders and predicting probabilities of offspring inheriting diseases.

Sexual Reproduction

Reproduction method in humans and mosquitoes involving genetic material mixing, leading to genetically diverse offspring.

Asexual Reproduction

Reproduction method in fungi, plants like strawberries and daffodils, involving only one parent and producing genetically identical offspring.

Advantages of Sexual Reproduction

Benefits include variation in offspring, survival advantages through natural selection, and selective breeding for desired characteristics.

Disadvantages of Sexual Reproduction

Challenges include resource cost, fewer offspring due to complexity, dependency on mating, and difficulties in finding a mate.

Advantages of Asexual Reproduction

Pros include requiring only one parent, quicker process through mitosis, and producing genetically identical offspring with rapid advantageous traits.

Disadvantages of Asexual Reproduction

Cons involve lack of variation, offspring not well-suited to changing environments, and risk of overpopulation due to efficiency.